Method and apparatus for controlling a knitting machine

ABSTRACT

Knitting machine control systems which allow flexibility of control with minimal complexity of circuits and information storage apparatus by means of program arrangements which selectively call for control information from fixed storage units and from an eraseable temporary storage unit which is fed from a magnetic tape.

Umted States Patent 1191 1111 3,817,059 Krause June 18, 1974 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 3,141,316 7/1964 McCarthy 6! a1 66/154 A CONTROLLING A KNITTING MACHINE 3,446,037 /1969 Sutton 66/154 A X 3,670,527 6/1972 Bourgeois 66/50 R [75] Inventor: Erich Krause, Bopfingen, Germany [73] Assignee: Universal Maschinenfabrik Dr. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Rudolf Schieber KG, postfach, 79,106 1/1971 Germany 66/154 A Germany 1 Primary Examiner-Ronald Feldbaum 7 [-2] Filed 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper [21] Appl. No.: 245,141 & Scinto Foreign Application Priority Data 57] ABSTRACT pr 2 892 Kmttmg machine control systems wh1ch allow flexlbll- [52] Cl I 66/154 A ity of control with minimal complexity of circuits and [51] Int Cl 5 15/60 information storage apparatus by means of program [58] Field 6 A arrangements which selectively call for control infor mation from fixed storage units and from an eraseable [56] References Cited temporary storage unit which is fed from a magnetic UNITED STATES PATENTS tape 3,069,881 12/1962 Warren 66/154 A 20 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures FROM EUNTRHL DEVIE 151 FROM CUKTRUL IlEVlCE 1151 FROM EUNTRQ L UEVNIE 1111 EXCHAHGEABLE sxcmuwa Excmu 1 [:fj-q 2 min smmz um 11 mm 5 2 11151151111111: mm 36 (Jim) 2 15 17 1B 19 32 I33 i3L i315 smRAGE 72 61.

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mom 5N com mm? mm? METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A KNITTING MACHINE This invention concerns a method and a device for the control of patterning and the setting of the working width in flat-bed and knitting machines by means of data carriers.

The advantage of flat-bed knitting machines consists above all in that, in contrast to other knitting machines, they can be changed to other patterns comparatively fast and in that the working width can be modified. Inasmuch as the time of preparation plays an important part in the cost of labor, rapid adaptation to other patterns will save costs. By means of modification of the I working width, the knitted articles are adjusted to the desired sizes so that there is the smallest possible amount of waste. This is of special importance where costs of materials are high.

In the knitting machines currently on the market, changing to other patterns is, in most cases, cumbersome. Frequently, needles, pattern sinkers or the like must be shifted. The placement of jacquard cards, too, requires considerable labor. In order to change the working width, needles and sinkers must be assembled and disassembled. Towards such end, it becomes necessary, specifically in machines with sinker control, in machines with jacquard installations, etc., to pull out several cover rails, to superpose the needles and sinkers and then to reintroduce the cover rails. Considerable effort is also required in the event that a jacquard pattern does not cover the entire width of a knitted piece but, e.g., has edges knitted in one color only. In this case, a jacquard card set must be prepared for each size. The same applies to goods with jacquard patterns which are narrowed. Here, again, the border needles which are transferred must be selected separately so that additional jacquard cards become necessary.

It is truethat in flat-bed machines in which each needle is assigned for control to an associated electromagnet. the data for very complicated patterns may be stored in a memory. However, here, too, it becomes necessary to store individually each knitted article size, i.e., in all cases all of the knitted ,piece. This is especially necessary if one wishes to avoid additional work, e.g., for the purpose of eliminating needles, and that the cam is to be provided with a special mechanical switching arrangement.

It is the purpose of the invention to provide a method and device for the control of patterning and working width by means of which it becomes possible to obtain rapid modifications in patterns and working width, both from one individual knitted piece to the next, and also during the knitting of one or more knitted pieces next to one another. Change-overs and the selection of patterns are to be obtained automatically to the largest possible extent by means of suitable data carriers, whereby the effort expended for storing of the patterning data is to be as small as possible.

In accordance with the invention, this purpose is attained in that the data for the basic kinds of knitting, for the needle setting and for a number of edge needles are called from non-erasable storage means and are transferred while the data for the jacquard patternings are called from a storage, e.g., a magnetic tape or disk storage means, over an erasable temporary storage, and are transferred, whereby the working width is set by means of limit switches with adjustable switching time;

By combining a magnetic tape memory for the jacquard patterns, whose data are called and transferred by means of an erasable temporary storage, with nonerasable storage means for the data for basic types of knits which are repeated in many knitted pieces, for the needle setting and for a number of edge needles, the amount of data to be stored in each case for a knitted article is decreased considerably inasmuch as only the jacquard patterning proper must be stored in the magnetic tape storage while the remaining data are called from the non-erasable stores and are processed.

By means of the invention, it becomes possible, for example, to knit continuously on a flatbed knitting ma chine all individual parts of a knitted piece without any large additional costs.

In accordance with a further useful development of the method in accordance with the invention, the data called from the erasable temporary memory have priority over the data called from the memory for the needle setting data. Furthermore, the data called from the store containing the data for the number of selvage needles have suitably preference over the data called from the erasable temporary storage and from the storage for needle setting data.

By means of the limit switches which can be adjusted with respect to switching instants, the data of the various storage means can be suppressed in partial areas. Thus, modification of the working width can be obtained even if several pieces are knit next to one an other in that all needles placed before the first and, e. g., between the second and third and after the last limit switch are suppressed even though on the basis of the data for the jacquard pattern in the tape storage, they would have to work. On the other hand, in order to avoid a large number of storings, all edge needles selected by the storage for edge needles will work in the event that narrowed and patterned knitted pieces are produced, even if on the basis of the data in the tape storage, they would not be selected to operate.

In order to dispense with precise synchronization of the control tape in the tape storage, the data for the following knitted row are suitably transferred from the tape'storage to the erasable temporary storage on each carriage return.

The calling and transmission of the data for the knit types, for the needle setting and for the number of selvage needles is obtained by preference optionally by means of fixed and interchangeable or alternate storage units. Thereby, the calling and transmission of the data may be obtained by choice either automatically by means of the stores and counters or mixed, i.e., also controlled by the control installation of the knitting machine.

In order to achieve automatic narrowing of the knitted pieces, the switching instants of the limit switches for narrowing of the working width may be shifted automatically. In order not to excessively increase the size of the movable storages, a suitable further development of the method in accordance with the invention provides that the data for the jacquard patterning are read repeatedly in alternating steps and different directions of running from the tape storage. Thereby, the magnetic tape storage may be controlled, for example by the control device of the knitting machine or by the control tape of the magnetic tape storage itself, by

choice once forward, twice forward, once in reverse or twice in reverse, whereby the data are read in each direction of movement.

Additional setting time can finally be saved in that on the pilot tape of the magnetic tape storage data groups for several jacquard patternings are stored and in that between the individual data groups identifying marks are stored on the tape by means of which is selected the data group of the desired jacquard pattern by a selector switch or the control device of the knitting machine.

In order to achieve by means of the same pattern several pattern variations, the pattern may be introduced into the knitted piece in an alternately shifted manner. This is obtained in that for the purpose of staggering of a pattern repeat, on repetition of the calling and the transmission of data, the reading-out from the erasable temporary storage is started at a point which is different from the point of reading which preceded.

The device for execution of the method in accordance with the invention is characterized in that there are provided for storage of the data for patterning and setting of the working width stationary non-erasable stores which can be called by choice and a movable magnetic tape storage with erasable temporary storage, and for setting of the working width automatically actuated limit switches. Thereby, the outputs of the nonerasable storages and of the erasable storage are connected with one another by means of OR-gates, AND- gates and INHIBIT-gates.

The limit switches may be 'provided on the carriage of the knitting machine and may be actuated by means of permanent magnets which can be displaced on an indexing ledge (screen ledge) along the knitting machine. Preferably, the permanent magnets can be displaced together with their mountings in conjunction with the automatic thread guide setting.

In order to keep the storage means small, the nonerasable stationary memories are provided with exchangeable storage units in addition to the fixed storage units.

Suitably, the control device of the knitting machine is connected with the storage means for the purpose of selective calling of data from such storage means.

The control tape of the magnetic tape storage is preferably driven and can be read in both directions. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, it is provided with several tracks.

The method and the devices for execution of the method, in accordance with the invention, will be described and explained below.

Several embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. I shows a flat-bed knitting machine with an assembled control device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing a detail of the needle bed and the carriage of the flat-bed knitting machine;

FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram for the control of a first group of magnets for patterning and working width controlsof the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a detail from a circuit diagram for control of another group of magnets for control of the machine ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a detail from a circuit diagram related to the control of all the magnets of the machine of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a circuit diagram and actuating arrangement for achieving limitation of the needle space by limit switches in the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows, in an enlarged view, a device for automatic adjustment of working width in the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows in diagram form a setting possibility for modification of the working width in the event of two pieces being knitted next to each other, in the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows a detail from a control tape with staggered tracks for the corresponding data, for use in the circuit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 shows a detail from an eight-track control tape with the read-out start on the left;

FIG. 11 shows a control tape with the start of the read-out on the right;

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of cam switching points on the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 shows a diagram of the course of a pattern repeat used in the system of FIGS. 1-12;

FIG. 14 shows a diagram of the storage of various patterns on a control tape;

FIG. 15 shows in diagram form, a control system for the control tape of a magnetic tape storage used in the system; and

FIG. 16 shows a detail from a further circuit diagram related to the switching of a group of magnets.

IN FIG. 1, a control device in accordance with the invention is assembled on a flat-bed knitting machine 160. A carriage 163 is moved to and fro by a drive 172, slides over the needle beds 164 and moves the thread guides 173 on the thread guide rails 165. The machine is controlled by means of a control device 161 with the help of control cards in form of the pasteboard cards 174. At the front portion of the knitting machine is arranged a notched ledge 166 with notches in the precise division of the needle bed 164 which notches are scanned by an impulse generator 1 fixed on the carriage 163. The notching projectson either side of the machine by at least the length of the carriage 163 beyond the needle space of the needle beds 164. At each notch a pulse is transmitted by the impulse generator 1 over a feed line 2 in a trailing cable to a storage arrangement 162. As shown in FIG. 3, this storage arrangement 162 comprises a storage means 3 for selection of the type of knitting, a storage means 31 for selection of the needle division, a storage means 38 for selection of a number of edge needles, an erasable temporary storage 50, a magnetic tape storage means 55, counters 85, 86, 93 and 97, storage means 57, 67, 68, 80, 92 and 98 and also a distributor and amplifier unit. In place of the magnetic tape storage, a disk memory such as employed in another useful embodiment of the invention may be used.

FIG. 3 shows furthermore a fixed storage unit 4 of the storage means 3, in which all data for the basic types of knitting, such as V-type flat, tubular, tuck, 1:1 loop transfer, etc. are stored. The storage unit 4 is controlled by the control device 161 over the control lines 6-12. By means of the impulses which are delivered by the impulsor 1 over the line 2, the storage units selected are interrogated and, in turn, such storage units deliver pulses over outputs l6, l7, 18 or 19 to AND gates 64,

111, 118 or 124. In the event thatpatterns are to be knitted which deviate from the basic types of knits but are repeated in short repetitions, e.g., knopp, plait, twill, interlock'or the like, these are stored on plug-in, non-erasable, exchangeable storage units 5 which can be exchanged for one another in storage means 3. The storage unit 5 is contacted over control lines 13-15 by the control device 161 and delivers its pulses likewise over outputs 16-19 to AND-gates 64, 111, 118 or 124.

It is either the storage means 31 for needle division or the magnetic tape storage means 55 that determines which needles are delivered the selected point in the cam in order to execute the chosen manner of knitting. The control device 161 determines which of the two storage means is to be used. By means of such control device is selected and approached, either over one of the control lines 20-27, one of the basic divisions of the needles, e.g., 1:1, 2:1, 1:1:1, 2:2, 3:3, etc. fixedly stored in a fixed storage unit 36 of the storage means 31, or, over control lines 28-30 of the special divisions, such as 10:20, 5:40, stored in accordance withthe data in plug-in exchangeable storage units 37 in a non-erasable manner, or over a control line 58, a storage means 57. From the storage means 31 the data selected in each case which are not erased are interrogated by the pulses of the impulsor 1 over the feed line 2, and the corresponding pulses are delivered over the outputs 32, 33, 34, or 35 to lNHlBlTORY-AND-gates 65, 108, 113 and 120. I

In the event that a signal is received over the control line 58, the storage means 57 is set up and voltage is applied to control lines 59 and 60. This means that both the magnetic tape storage means 55 as also the temporary storage means 50 are put into operation while the lNHIBITORY-AND gates 65, 108, 113 and 120 are blocked.

On each carriage return, the tape memory 55 delivers the data for a knitted row to the temporary storage means 50. The manner in which this is obtained will be described further on. The data are stored in the erasable temporary storage means 50 over the conductor 56. The temporary storage means 50 is triggeredat point 59, is interrogated over the conductor 2 by the impulses of the master clock 1 and the impulses are delivered over outputs 51, 52, 53and 54 to the INHIBI- TORY-AND-gates 152, 158, 155 or 159. Thereby, each signal interrogated is erased in the temporary storage means 50. On return of the carriage, on the other side of the knitting machine, the temporary storage means 50 is again supplied by the magnetic tape store 55 with data for the'next knitted row.

In order to avoid the situation where, for fully fashioned knitted articles, the data must be stored for the entire article, a further memory 38 is provided for selection of a given number of edge needles. In a memory unit 39 fixed needle numbers, e.g., 1, 7, 9, etc. are stored non-erasably while in a plug-in exchangeable memory unit 40 of the memory 38, any desired different number of edge needles, e.g., 12, 120, 200, etc., may be stored. The memory units 39 and 40 are in each case triggered by the control device 161 by means of lead-ins 41, 42, 43 or 44, and deliver their data, which are interrogated by the pulses of the master clock 1 received over the lead-in 2, over the outputs 46, 47, 48 or 49 to the OR-gates 66, 114, 116 and 122 and also 6 in form of blocking pulses to the INHIBITORY-AND- gates 65, 152, 108, 158, 113, 155, and 159.

The needle number selected is counted out only when by means of a limit switch 202 (FIG. 1), a pulse has set a storage means, 67 over a lead-in 45, and a voltage is applied at a point 107. After the needle number selected has been counted, the storage means 67 receives a pulse over a conductor 179 and is reset. The

next pulse over the conductor 45 is delivered from the switch 202 while the number of needles selected is still to be knitted.

The counters 85, 86, 93 and 97 are continuously stepped up by the master clock 1 over the lead-in 2, i.e., in steps of from 1' to 36'. From 36', the counter on the next pulse jumps immediately to 1'. The counters 85, 86, 93 and 97 are staggered in relation to one another. As the counter 85 is at 1', the counter 86 is at 10', the counter 93 at 19' and the counter 97 at 28, or as the counter 85 is set at 12', the counter 86 is set at 21, the counter 93 at 30 and the counter 97 at 3. As the carriage runs in reverse direction, the counters count from 36 to 1.

From the counter 85, a lead 10.3 runs from the connection point 1 to an AND-gate 69 while e.g., from the connection point 10' a lead 128 goes to an AND-gate 177 (FIG. 4), i.e., for each selection point 180, 181, 182 and 183 of a cam (FIG. 12). The cam distance is selected in such a manner that each selection point 180, 181, 182 and 183 is in each case located on the sinker selected by its counter 85, 86, 93 and 97. In the event that the counter 85 selects 1', the selection point 180 is situated on a sinker corresponding to 1. At the same time, the counter 86 has selected 10' and the selection point 181 is situated on a sinker corresponding to 10. The counter 93 is then at 19' and the selection point 182 on a sinker corresponding to 19 while the counter 97 is at 28', and the selection point 183 is at a sinker corresponding to 28'. As the carriage 163 advances in a leftward direction by one needle spacing,

the counter 85 is at 36, the counter 86 at 9, the

counter 93 at 18' and the counter 97 at 27', and the se lection points 180 on a sinker correspond to 36', 181 on a sinker to 9, 182 on a sinker to 18' and 183 on a sinker to 27, etc. As the carriage moves in the opposite direction, the numbers setting goes from 1 to 2'.

For selecting, e.g., all sinkers corresponding to 1, one of the conductors 74, 79, 81 or 83 must be currentcarrying. The current is delivered over an OR-gate 75 and a lead 76 to storage means 1.85 which stores the pulse and transfers it over a lead-in 186 until over a lead 191 it is erased. An amplifier 77 (FIG. 5) switches in over a conductor 78 all magnets corresponding to 1', i.e., all sinkers assigned a magnet corresponding to 1 project from the needle bed. However, inasmuch as the selection point 180 at this instant is situated only on one of the sinkers chosen, and all other selection points 181, 182, and 183 are on other sinkers, the instantaneous selection is valid for this one sinker only.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detail pertaining to a selection point. The carriage 163 runs with its guide 204 on a guide rail 205 over the needle bed 164. Behind the needle bed 164 is located a control device with magnets 206 in form of electromagnets placed side by side, whereby the cores 207 of the magnets in each case either attract a retaining spring 208 when the magnet 206 as shown in the example is conducting current, or the spring is left under its own spring action. In its springactive condition, the retaining spring 208 blocks a spring 209 which as the carriage passes through the pattern sinker 210 is pressed into the needle bed 164. Thereby the leg 212 of the pattern sinker 210 is prevented from leaving the needle bed 164.1f, as shown in the example, the magnet 206 has been supplied with current, it holds the retaining spring 208 at its core 207. The spring 209 pushes the pattern sinker 210 sufficiently high so that its leg 212 can be engaged by the cam 211. The cam 211 pushes the pattern sinker 210 and with it the needle 213 upwards so that the needle 213 with its butt 214 can be engaged by the needle lifter 215 and can be made available for the knitting process.

The retaining spring 208 may also be provided with a permanent magnet which, at a given direction of the current through the coil of the magnet 206, is attracted by the core 207 of the magnet; and in the opposite direction of current through the coil, the retaining spring 208 is repelled.

Again referring to FIG. 3, it should be stated here that in order for the conductor 74, e.g., to carry current, the following conditions must be fulfilled. The two lead-ins 63 and 73 must carry current. The lead-in 63, however, carries current only if the leads 16 and 62 carry current. It thus becomes necessary that in the storage means 3 the storage position selected over one of the leads 6-15 at the point sampled by the master clock 1 has a stored signal which is transmitted over the lead 16, and that a signal is applied at the OR-gate 66. This is the case if in the storage means 31 the storage position selected over one of the control leads -30 is provided with a stored signal at the point sampled by the master clock 1 which signal is transmitted over the lead 32. However, the signal is forwarded by the INHIBITORY-AND-gate 65 to the lead 61 only if at the same time no voltage is applied to one of the two, or both, conductors 46 and 60. In the event that the store 57 is switched in such a manner that a signal is applied to the conductors 59 and 60, the INHIBITORY- AND-gate 65 is locked, regardless of whether or not a signal is applied at the output 32.

On carriage return, the control tape 184 transferred the data to the temporary storage 50. If now a pulse from the master clock 1 encounters a stored signal, the signal is forwarded over the conductor 51. If then no signal is applied to the conductor 46, the previous signal on the conductor 51 is forwarded through the lNHIBITORY-AND-gate 152 and the lead-in 153 to the OR-gate 66. In the event that now in the storage means 38 one of the storage positions is tapped by one of the control leads 41-44, voltage is applied at the same time in point 107. If there arrives a signal from the master clock 1 to a storage position, the storage means 38 forwards the signal over the lead 46. The lead blocks the INHIBITORY-AND-gates 65 and 152 but forwards its signal to the OR-gate 66. Thereby current flows in the lead-in 62, regardless of whether or not a' signal comes from the leads 32 and/or 51. Thus, the data of the storage means 57 have priority over the data of the storage means 31 and those of the storage means 38 have priority over the data of the storage means 31 and 50.

If voltages are applied to the AND-gate 64 by means of the conductors 16 and 62, current flows in the conductor 63. In the event that the counter 85 counted to 1' directly, the conductor 103 carries current, too. If at the same time the storage means 68 is switched in such a manner that it delivers current to the lead 71, the AND-gate 69 switches and the conductor 73 is under voltage. The condition whereby the AND-gate 72 is connected through is attained. The magnet group in each (in this case corresponding to 1) is cut in, therefore, only as certain given factors coincide. They remain cut in until the storage means 185 is erased, i.e., cleared, over a lead-in 191. The lead-in 191 for erasing receives its current from a counter 194 which is continuously stepped up by the master clock 1 over the lead 2 but always delivers signals through four outputs. If the counter is at 1, the counter 86 at 10', the counter 93 at 19' and the counter 97 at 28', the counter 194 is at 6', 15', 24', and 33, whereby the lead 192 goes from the connection point 10' to a storage means 187 (FIG. 4). Thus, if a magnet for holding is cut in, it remains attracted until the carriage has advanced over five needle division spaces. Then the magnet has time to drop until the carriage has advanced over four more needle spaces. As the carriage advances further, all four outgoing signals are stepped up by one after each needle space, i.e., from 6, 15, 24 and 33 to 5', 14', 23' and 32', and on the reverse direction of the carriage to 7', 16, 25' and 34, etc. The same applies analogously to the other 35 magnet groups.

In accordance with FIG. 16, switching may also be effected in such a manner that on shifting of the storage means 185, current-is delivered in the opposite direction, e.g., to the coils of the magnets 206 of the magnet group corresponding to 1, by means of an amplifier 240 over a lead 241, so that the springs 208 with permanent magnets are repelled by the core of the magnet 207.

In accordance with FIG. 4, e.g., the magnet group corresponding to 10' is provided in the first group for selection position 180, whereby instead of the AND- gate 69, and AND-gate 177 is provided which while also being acted on by the conductor 71 from the storage 68, is also controlled by the conductor 128 from the connection point 10' of the counter 85. Thus, current flows over the lead 244 only if the storage means 68 delivers current to the lead 71 and the counter 85 delivers current to the lead 128. The AND-gate 64 is controlled, exactly as for the magnet group corresponding to 1', by the conductors 16 and 62. A conductor 132 delivers current through an OR-gate 133 if a voltage is applied to an AND-gate 178 over the leads 63 and 244. The storage means 187 is set up and delivers a signal, over a conductor 188 and an amplifier 135 which over the conductor 136 cuts in the magnet group corresponding to 10' (FIG. 5), until it is erased by a conductor 192. This is obtained when the counter 194 is set at 1, 10, 19, and 28'.

The various magnet groups corresponding to 1 to 36 are controlled in relation to each of the selection positions 180, 181, 182 and 183 by means of various connections or linkings. For example, the magnet group corresponding to 1 for the second selection position 181 is controlled by means of an AND-gate 87 with conductors and 112, whereby the conductor 90 derives from the counter 86 over the AND-gate 89 and the conductor 112 derives from the AND-gate 111. In place of the conductors 16 and 62 towards the AND- gate 64, the conductors 17 and are connected with the AND-gate 111; instead of the conductors 61, 46 and 153, conductors 109, 47 and 154 are connected;

instead of the INHlBITORY-AND-gates 65 and 152, INHIBITORY-AND-gates 108 and 158 are connected; and instead of the conductors 32, 46 and 51, the conductors 33, 47 and 52 are connected. A conductor 104 of the connection 1 from the counter 86 and a conductor 88 from the output of the storage means 80 are connected to the AND-gate 89. The corresponding conditions apply to the connections by means of which the AND-gates 82 and 84 are controlled. They are triggered by the conductors 96 and 119 as well as 102 and 125.

The settingup and erasing of the storage means 57 and 67 are elTected by means of the control device 161 over the conductors S8 and 45. The setting-up and erasing of the storage means 68, 80, 90 and 89 is effected by means of the limit switches 176, 195, 196 and 197 or 176', 195, 196' and 197' (FIG. 1) which are actuated by means of the permanent magnets 198, 199, 200 and 201, or 198', 199, 200' and 201', adjustable on the notched rail 166, in conjunction with the conductors 70, 91, 126 and 99. The storage means 67 is set up and erased by the limit switches 202 or 202, which are switched by the likewise adjustable permanent magnets 203 or 203, or also by a signal from the control device 161 over the conductor 45.

FIG. 6 shows in diagram the right side of these switching arrangements using limit switches. In the mounting 216, the permanent magnets 198 to 201' are staggered in such a manner that the horizontal distance between one magnet and the next equals exactly the distance form one selection position in the cam element to the next. For example, the distance between the permanent magnets 198 and 199' equals exactly the distance between the selection position 180' and 181' (FIG. 12). By means of a retention plate 218 which exactly like the notched rail 166 has notches in the same graduation as the needle bed 164, the mounting 216 can mesh at each desired point, at a distance of one or more needle spaces. The plate is secured by knurled-head screw 219 and is precisely adjusted. The same applies to the mounting 217 which by means of its retaining plate 220 can be secured in each desired point of the notched rail 166, independent of the mounting 216. The mountings 216 and 217, however, can be fastened on by the automatic thread guide adjustment (FIG. 7). In the event of each increase or decrease by one or more needles, they are then adjusted together with the path limiters 221 and 222 of the thread guide housings 242 and 243. Thereby the needle space for knitting is automatically narrowed or widened. In the event that more, e.g., two knitted pieces are knit one next to the other, permanent magnets for switching of the limit switches are also placed in the center of the needle space. FIG. 8 illustrates the system of placing the permanent magnets 201, 201', 201", 201", e.g., relative to the needle bed 164 whereby the arrows indicate the directions in which the permanent magnets can be displaced. The two needle spaces 223 and 224 in which the knitting proceeds extend between the permanent magnets 201 and 201" as also between 201" and 201'.

FIG. 9 illustrates a control tapel84 on which data are stored in such a manner that to start with, a control track is passing through inasmuch as by such track, all counting operations for storing and controlling are guided. A first track 1" starts ahead of a record track 2" by as many track storage positions as there are needles between, e.g., the selector positions and 181. The same applies to the distances between the tracks 2" and 3" as well as 3" and 4". Each track is of the same length and thus ends ahead of the next following one by the same number of storage positions by which it started ahead.

FIG. 9 shows that a track always has as many storage positions as there are needles in a needle bed 164. Also, as shown in FIG. 10 each storage 225 comprises, in addition to a control track 0" eight tracks 1" to 8" for patterning. If in each system provisions are made for additional re-hanging or wrapping, ten patterning tracks are provided. However, inasmuch as knitting of loops does not require any wrap around, the selection positions in the cam element (FIG. 12) for wrapping will be synchronous with the selection positions for tucking so that eight tracks will be sufficient for the pattern.

In order to make it possible for the control tape to be read in both directions, one starts, depending on the pattern selection, once with track 1" from the left, e. g., FIGS. 9 and 10, and once from the right, e.g., FIG. 11.

In order to avoid that the pattern repetitions must be applied to the pilot tape 184 as often as they appear in the course of knitting, thereby rendering the tape unnecessarily long, the tape 184 is read in both directions. Thereby the storages 225, e.g., 1 to 6' are arranged in such a manner that a pattern repetition is cycled easily in itself.

The arrows 226 in FIG. 13 indicate in which direction each of the storages 225 are read in each case. The arrows 227 indicate the manner in which the control tape 184 is advanced after the reading of a storing 225. The arrow 228" indicates in what manner the control tape 184 moves to the next repeat, e.g., l to 4". In general, jacquardpatterns will have a greater repeat than six storings. The operating sequence is controlled either by selection in the control device 161 or by means of each last row of each storage 229 in which for the tracks 1" to 8" the pertinent characters are indicated. It is also possible to place a store characteristic between repeats, e.g., 230", which is then stored and controls the feed of the control tape 184 until an order issues from the control device 161 causing the feed in the direction of the arrow 228x. Thereby, the storage element 230x establishes the operating sequence of the next repeat.

If a knitted article has been completed, the control device 161 issues the order for the return movement of the control tape 184 to the start of the first repeat. The return follows the direction of the arrow 232 in FIG. 14. Several patterns are stored on one control tape 184. In order to be able to call these patterns selectively, numberings 231 are placed between the pattern systems. These numbers are read by a selector head 234 placed next to the reading head 233 and are stored in a storage means 235 (FIG. 15). From there, one of the two motors 236 and 237 is driven until the desired number of the pattern is placed over the selector head 234. Which of the two motors 236 or 237 are to be driven depends upon the number which appears at the selector head when the order for the selection is given. The data are transcribed in the storage 235. The selector head 234 is switched in either by means of a selector switch 238 or by means of a conductor 239 from the control device 161. FIG. thus represents a diagram of the control arrangement.

Moreover, additional pattern effects may be obtained by means of the same data stored on the tape 184 in that on interrogating the data from the temporary storage means 50, one starts, e.g., once at the first character, the next time, e.g., at the 26th character, then at the 51st character, etc. This can be obtained at will and the choice can be made by means of the control device 161.

Having thus described the invention with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended thereto.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a method for controlling patterning and working width in flat-bed knitting machines by means of data carriers, the steps of calling from non-erasable storage means signals representative of data for the basic kinds of knitting, for the needle setting s and for a number of edge needles and applying said signals to control corresponding operations of said machine, and at the same time transferring further signals representative of data for jacquard patternings from a further storage means, to an erasable temporary storage means, and applying signals from said temporary storage means to control jacquard patterning in said machines, positioning limit switches to predetermined locations along the knitting machine carriage, actuating said limit switches when the knitting machine carriage passes said predetermined locations and directing the outputs from said limit switches to suppress corresponding predetermined signals representative of data for the number of edge needles.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signals from said erasable temporary storage means are transferred with priority over the signals called from the non-erasable storage means containing needle setting data.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signals from the storage means containing data pertaining to the number of edge needles are transferred with priority over the signals called from the erasable temporary storage means and over signals called'from the storage means containing needle setting data.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the transfer of data from selected storage means is suppressed in' pre-selected areas by adjustment of the switching times of limit switches arranged to control the flow of signals from said storage means to said machine.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein signals representative of data for controlling machine operation in a given row are transferred from said further storage means to said temporary erasable storage means during the next proceeding return of the knitting machine carriage.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signals representative of data for knit types, for needle setting and for the number of edge needles are obtained optionally from fixed and from exchangeable storage means.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the calling and transfer of signals is executed automatically by means of control signals from storage means in the knitting machine, and optionally by the control device of said knitting machine.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the switching instants of limit switches for changing of working width in said knitting machine are adjusted automatically.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the further storage means containing signals representative of data for jacquard patternings are read repeatedly, in alternating steps and different movement directions of the storage mediums of said storage means.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said further storage means is controlled by the control device of the knitting machine and optionally a control tape of the further storage means itself by choice once forward, twice forward, once in reverse or twice in reverse and in that the reading of the data is effected in each of the directions of movement.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein signals representative of data groups for several jacquard patterns are stored on a storage medium in said further storage means, wherein between individual data groups on said machine identifying characters are stored, and wherein said identifying characters are read for selection of the data group of the desired jacquard patternmg.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein for the purpose of staggering of a pattern repetition, the reading from the erasable temporary storage means, on repitition of the calling and the transmission of data, is started at a position which is different from the preceding reading position.

l3. ln combination with a knitting machine control apparatus for controlling the patterning and working width of a flat-bed knitting machine having a carriage movable back and forth over a given path, nonerasable storage means for providing signals representative of data for patterning and for setting of working width, means for selectively calling for signals from said nonerasable storage means, a movable magnetic tape storage means with erasable temporary storage means and automatically actuated limit switches for setting of working width, said limit switches being adjustable mounted for movement to different locations along the carriage, said switches being operable in response to the knitting machine carriage past said locations along said path, said limit switches being connected to control outputs from said storage means for setting of said working width.

14. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said non-erasable storage means and said erasable temporary storage means each have outputs connected with one another by means of OR-gates, (66, 114, 116, 122; AND-gates (64, 111, 118, 124; 72, 87, 82, 84) and lNHlBITORY- AND-gates (65, 108, 113, 151, 158, 155, 159).

15. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said limit switches are provided on a carriage of a knitting machine and permanent magnets are mounted for displacement on a notched rail along the knitting machine for actuation of said limit switches.

16. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said permanent magnets are arranged to be displaced together with their mountings jointly with adjustment of an automatic thread guide on said knitting machine.

17. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said non-erasable stationary storage means (3, 31, 38) include both fixed storage units (4, 36, 39) and exchangeable storage units (5, 37, 40).

18. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said knitting machine has a control device (161) connected to said non-erasable storage means (3, 31, 38, 50) in a manner permitting 

1. In a method for controlling patterning and working width in flat-bed knitting machines by means of data carriers, the steps of calling from non-erasable storage means signals representative of data for the basic kinds of knitting, for the needle setting s and for a number of edge needles and applying said signals to control corresponding operations of said machine, and at the same time transferring further signals representative of data for jacquard patternings from a further storage means, to an erasable temporary storage means, and applying signals from said temporary storage means to control jacquard patterning in said machines, positioning limit switches to predetermined locations along the knitting machine carriage, actuating said limit switches when the knitting machine carriage passes said predetermined locations and directing the outputs from said limit switches to suppress corresponding predetermined signals representative of data for the number of edge needles.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signals from said erasable temporary storage means are transferred with priority over the signals called from the non-erasable storage means containing needle setting data.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signals from the storage means containing data pertaining to the number of edge needles are transferred with priority over the signals called from the erasable temporary storage means and over signals called from the storage means containing needle setting data.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the transfer of data from selected storage means is suppressed in pre-selected areas by adjustment of the switching times of limit switches arranged to control the flow of signals from said storage means to said machine.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein signals representative of data for controlling machine operation in a given row are transferred from said further storage means to said temporary erasable storage means during the next preceeding return of the knitting machine carriage.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signals representative of data for knit types, for needle setting and for the number of edge needles are obtained optionally from fixed and from exchangeable storage means.
 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the calling and transfer of signals is executed automatically by means of control signals from storage means in the knitting machine, and optionally by the control device of said knitting machine.
 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the switching instants of limit switches for changing of working width in said knitting machine are adjusted automatically.
 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the further storage means containing signals representative of data for jacquard patternings are read repeatedly, in alternating steps and different movement directions of the storage mediums of said storage means.
 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said further storage means is controlled by the control device of the knitting machine and optionally a control tape of the further storage means itself by choice once forward, twice forward, once in reverse or twice in reverse and in that the reading of the data is effected in each of the directions of movement.
 11. A method according to claim 1 wherein signals representative of data groups for several jacquard patterns are storeD on a storage medium in said further storage means, wherein between individual data groups on said machine identifying characters are stored, and wherein said identifying characters are read for selection of the data group of the desired jacquard patterning.
 12. A method according to claim 1 wherein for the purpose of staggering of a pattern repetition, the reading from the erasable temporary storage means, on repitition of the calling and the transmission of data, is started at a position which is different from the preceding reading position.
 13. In combination with a knitting machine control apparatus for controlling the patterning and working width of a flat-bed knitting machine having a carriage movable back and forth over a given path, nonerasable storage means for providing signals representative of data for patterning and for setting of working width, means for selectively calling for signals from said nonerasable storage means, a movable magnetic tape storage means with erasable temporary storage means and automatically actuated limit switches for setting of working width, said limit switches being adjustable mounted for movement to different locations along the carriage, said switches being operable in response to the knitting machine carriage past said locations along said path, said limit switches being connected to control outputs from said storage means for setting of said working width.
 14. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said non-erasable storage means and said erasable temporary storage means each have outputs connected with one another by means of OR-gates, (66, 114, 116, 122; 75), AND-gates (64, 111, 118, 124; 72, 87, 82, 84) and INHIBITORY-AND-gates (65, 108, 113, 120; 151, 158, 155, 159).
 15. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said limit switches are provided on a carriage of a knitting machine and permanent magnets are mounted for displacement on a notched rail along the knitting machine for actuation of said limit switches.
 16. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said permanent magnets are arranged to be displaced together with their mountings jointly with adjustment of an automatic thread guide on said knitting machine.
 17. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said non-erasable stationary storage means (3, 31, 38) include both fixed storage units (4, 36, 39) and exchangeable storage units (5, 37, 40).
 18. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said knitting machine has a control device (161) connected to said non-erasable storage means (3, 31, 38, 50) in a manner permitting the selective calling of data signals therefrom.
 19. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said magnetic tape storage means includes means for driving and reading a control tape in both direction.
 20. In a knitting machine control apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said moveable magnetic tape storage means includes a control tape having a plurality of tracks (0''''-8''''). 